Clements Ribero is a husband and wife design team probably best known (to me, anyway) for dressing Adele. Lucky for us, they’ve recently put together a collaboration with UK plus size retailer Evans, prettily entitled “Swan.”
The Swan collection features a multitude of vintage-style prints, leaning toward updated pieces clearly influenced by midcentury fashions, but without looking so much like a costume. The costume-y nature of so many retro-influenced styles feeds my own reluctance to wear them -- even when Mad Men makes me want to reconsider -- so this works for me.
What else works for me? Well, the collection is heavy on dresses, which you all should know makes this dress-preferring lady very happy, especially considering that Evans’ usual dress selection is less than inspiring. Sorry Evans, but it’s often true.
I’m super partial to the black broderie anglaise cotton 'Betty' dress above (it also comes in a super cute heart print), and the Joan-Crawford-shoulders of the purple pansy print “Peggy” dress.
Also, please note that all of these examples have sleeves, which I know some of you have been clamoring for. The full range is available in US sizes 10-28 and the dresses run between $99 to $165.
